how many meals a day?

[s baxter]

my 12week (tomorrow) cocker is on 4 meals a day when should i give him his daily allowance in 3 meals?                    

[Jane S]

Not just yet. I normally cut meals down to 3 a day at around the 4 month stage. Ideally, you should have been given a diet sheet by your breeder which explains all this but sadly some breeders don't seem to bother.

Jane                    

[s baxter]

i was just told in the notes on feeding, to keep him on his type of food till 10 mths but not alot else,other than 4 feeds a day,not when to move to 3 then 2 then possibly 1 meal or do most people feed their dogs when nec. in 2 meals? thanks for speedy reply i will wait till 4 mths then,ta                    

[bluegirl]

Hi,
I fed 4 meals until 4mths then dropped to 3 knocking off the morning milk. Then at 8 mths dropped to 2 meals per day and have continued on this regime.

From Karen                    

[padfoot]

It's a shame the breeder didn't supply more guidelines for you.
Personally I would give 4 meals until about 4 mths, 3 meals until about 6 mths and then 2 meals until at least a year (if you plan to only give one eventually).
I don't think it matters that much with adult dogs if they have one or two meals a day.                    

[s baxter]

thanks for those replies will reduced to 3 meals a day at 4 mths old,so nice to know you are on hand to help a newie, ta                    

[lorri]

and thanks from me too. Was just about to post a message about when to drop Jarvis onto 2 meals a day as he's nearly 6 months. But no need to now

Thanks

Lorraine and Jarvis                    

[Katina]

Dogs at my house get 4 meals/day up to 12 weeks, 3 meals/day up to 6 months and after that it's 2 meals/day for the rest of their lives   ..                    

[s baxter]

hi katina and everyone,will take all your good advice, years ago i`m sure it was the trend to feed your dog 1 meal a day, but at least if they eat 2 a day it`s only lunch you feel guilty eating when your dog doesn`t or am i getting a bit soft,  looking at it like that?                    

[Pammy]

Sue - are you in contact with your breeder? He/she should know what is best for their pup's. If the diet sheet doesn't tell you what you need to, let your breeder know -  they can then improve it for other people in the future.                    

[s baxter]

thanks pammy have pm`ed you ,just wanted others to know i have replied to you ,and thanks again to everyone who help answers questions for us newies to the dog side of life